Rating: 
Summary: It Takes A Village
Review: Anita Diamant has written an elegant novel. If you have children, if you have siblings, if you are in the midst of family dynamics--this is a must read. Although the story takes place in a setting over 3000 years ago, it is a humble reminder that the dialogue around "what it means to be human" is timeless. We may have indoor plumbing, instant information gathering through the internet, and know how to clone sheep, but the essential issues we have not yet gotten clarity on. Those issues include: What does it mean to be a woman? What is your duty as a man? How do you incorporate family rituals in your own traditons once you marry and start of new family? How do you know if you are fulfilling your destiny? You won't find answers to these questions but you will realize the questions that keep you up at night are historical, mythical, and community questions. You determine the answers by how you individually live your life. This is a beautiful story--especially for mothers and daughters as there is much about the rites from girlhood--to womanhood. And with books like: Secrets your mother never told you. It raises questions around the bonds between mothers and daughters. Enjoy the collective memory, and the story. After all, it is not merely a novel . . . it is YOUR story!
Rating: 
Summary: One of the BEST books I have ever read!
Review: A friend read this book, and suggested that I read it. I found it very well written and very interesting. I liked hearing about all the familiar characters throughout the book, but I especially liked how the author made the story more of a love story. Not just the love between husband and wife, but the love of a mother and daughter. I have always been curious as to what happened to Dinah, the only daughter of Leah, and this story (though false) is better than I ever could have imagined it.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful but far from true
Review: My name is Dina. I did not rise from the dead to protect my name and that of my family, though I feel tied to my namesake, centuries away. This book was so very nicely written that it made me very sad to see how FAR FROM THE BIBLE it is, making our Mothers mere idol worshipers. The beauty of our Mothers is that in a time when idol worshipping was commonplace, they broke the consensus- often paying a heavy price- in order to worship one G-d. Maybe the next book of this genre will be better....
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I was disappointed with this book, primarily because it deviated so far from the Biblical account. In fact, there were so many deviations, some relatively small, some major, that I had the feeling the author was trying to write her own version, just for the sake of being different. I wouldn't expect this to be a Christian telling, of course, since the author is Jewish, but this wasn't a Jewish version either. As others have mentioned, she emphasized paganism very heavily and implied that the God of the Bible was only worshipped by males who were too stubborn to see the superiority of the goddesses. I was especially annoyed with Joseph's character who had affairs with both Potiphar's wife and Potiphar, and was made rather nasty at the end. None of the women believed in God, and Jacob was supposedly an idiot because he half-heartedly did, and because he believed he wrestled with an angel and saw visions.From a story point of view, I also got a little tired of the menstruation and childbirth scenes. I did think the prose was well-done. It just was a different story than I had in mind. I think that whether or not you enjoy the book might depend on your outlook. If you think of the Biblical account as a myth and enjoy seeing it from a different perspective, significantly changed, then you would like it. If your view is more conservative (as mine is) and you want the plot to follow the Biblical account, then you may not care for it.
Rating:
Summary: To be shared with all women!
Review: This book is truly captivating, and so meaningful to women as a culture. Honestly, I don't think you have to be a woman, let alone a feminist to appreciate the wisdom and beauty of this story. I cannot stop talking about it with all my friends, sisters, and mother! Through Dinah's voice, the story gives modern women a noble and intricate picture of their place not only in the bible, but also in ancient history. "The Red Tent" will make you truly appreciate the love and wisdom of your "sisters"! And then, call your mother!
Rating:
Summary: A Hot Biblical Read
Review: The Red Tent is one of the most memorable books I've read in a very long time. As a Catholic, growing up in the 60's - 70's, I never really read the Bible. While reading this book I felt so many emotions: 1. Maybe I should read the Bible, 2. Women are most definately the superior race, and 3. I must let my 13 year old daughter read this book, it will empower her. The Red Tent is a beautifully written book. As much as I know The Red Tent will be enjoyed by mostly women, I hope men will read it too.
Rating:
Summary: I was reluctant at first....
Review: I was at the library and picked this up off the new books shelf along with about 4 other books - I had some time to kill before the bus came. At the table I began to read the jackets again. The word 'biblical' jumped out at me and I was about to close it. I would say I know the bare minimum of the contents in the bible - or rather it was limited to the things we have seen movies made of, but I won't go there. I had the cover just about closed and I pondered a bit at the cover. It reminded me of the numerous painting of Jesus on the cross looking up, except there is no cross....the red tent, the red robe she was wearing, the expression on the face... I was judging the book by the cover...and I began to read the first chapter. I missed my bus and had to wait another hour, but that was alright. Told from the female point of view, it made me smile and cry but most of all it made me admire and respect the women, the mothers I know all the more. To my mother, my grandmother, and all the mothers who have come before...Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: I would give it many more than five stars
Review: First of all let me say that I absolutely loved The Red Tent. It's based on a character, Dinah, who is mentioned in passing in the old testament. Diamant has created a wonderful story about the women of biblical times, our fore-mothers Rebecca, Sarah, Rachel, and Leah, from Dinah's point of view. You do not have to be familiar with the bible to enjoy this novel, although if you are, you'll certainly recognize stories and characters. It's about the strength of women, their roles in a male dominated religious society, and their all important relationships. Although I was eager to read this book, I didn't expect it to have such an impact on me, nor did I expect to love it as much as I did. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Women and Judiasm...fascinating
Review: If you have a strong interest in the feminine side of Judiasm, or just feminism in general, this book is for you. This was the kind of book that I could not put down. I began it on the plane and read it straight through. It is definately on my top ten list. The author takes a small story from the Hebrew Bible and expands it into a novel from the women's point of view. The story includes characters such as Rebekah, Rachel, Leah. Some more conservative readers might find portions of the book blasphemous (especially the implied Asherah worship), but I think the book accurately reflects the practice of the times. A most compelling read!
Rating:
Summary: I am usually disappointed by most novels
Review: But not this one. I read this in two gulps and could hardly tear myself away from it. Being pregnant, some of the birth scenes were a little intense for me but this is one of the best books I've ever read. I despair of ever writing such amazing characters!
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